DC's superheroes are some of the most powerful in comics. They run the gamut of powers and origins from alien gods to powerful robots. As powerful as these otherworldly heroes often are, human heroes like Black Adam still make a great showing for themselves.
In fact, some of the strongest DC heroes are human, using their immense strength to battle evil. Whether they are fully human, half-human, or part of obscure offshoots of the human race, these super-strong heroes have made a name for themselves by giving their alien counterparts competition for the strongest hero.
Updated on October 10, 2022 by Scoot Allan: DC announced a huge change to some of their heroes coming in 2023's Lazarus Planet event. Heroes will be transformed and powers will be unleashed which could shift the balance of power in the DC universe. Human heroes haven't always been able to stand up to powerful cosmic beings. However, there are a few incredibly strong characters that have earned their place among the other powerful alien and godly heroes in the DC universe.
20 Black Canary
First Appearance: Flash Comics (Vol. 1) #86, by writer Robert Kanigher and penciler Carmine Infantino
Dinah Drake Lance/Black Canary inherited her mother's metagene which gave her a powerful sonic scream known as her Canary Cry. However, Black Canary's devastating sonic ability isn't even her most powerful asset.
Major Strengths:
- Black Canary trained alongside DC's other top fighter Lady Shiva.
- She surprised foes like Black Adam with her peak human strength.
- Black Canary has taken out powerful heroes like Superman.
Black Canary spent years training with different martial arts instructors to become one of Earth's most skilled fighters, which puts her in the same league as some of DC's other well-known fighters. Dinah's Canary Cry further adds to her strength levels and earns her the win in most battles.
19 Wildcat
First Appearance: Sensation Comics (Vol. 1) #1, by writer Bill Finger and penciler/inker Irwin Hasen
Ted Grant was a heavyweight boxer who was forced to create a masked identity after he was framed for the death of a boxer. He became Wildcat in order to clear his name, but he also became a legendary superhero and one of the best members of the JSA.
Major Strengths:
- Wildcat has enhanced vision that gives him an advantage in the dark.
- He trained other talented fighters like Batman and Black Canary.
- He's trained in Capoeira, Hapkido, Krav Maga, Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do.
Wildcat trained himself to peak physical condition, and a spell that granted him nine lives kept his vitality over the years. He has shared his boxing skills and fighting prowess with other fighters in the DC universe and he continues to share his knowledge with the next generation of heroes with the JSA.
18 Green Arrow
First Appearance: More Fun Comics (Vol. 1) #73, by writer Mort Weisinger and penciler/inker George Papp
For human heroes like Green Arrow, maintaining a peak physical condition is an important factor. Green Arrow not only has to keep up with his deadliest villains but also with his teammates on teams like the Justice League.
Major Strengths:
- Green Arrow is a skilled marksman with other weapons as well.
- He has matched other strong fighters like Deathstroke and Batman.
- Green Arrow has trained in Boxing, Karate and Stick Fighting.
Oliver Queen keeps himself in prime shape for his work as Green Arrow and to better enhance his archery as well. He is one of the greatest comic book archers and fires a bow with 150-pound draw weight. This allows him to fling his unsuspecting targets up multiple floors when they're hit with his shot.
17 Mr. Terrific
First Appearance: Spectre (Vol. 3) #54, by writer John Ostrander, penciler/inker Tom Mandrake, colorist Carla Feeny, and letterer Todd Klein
Michael Holt may be better known as Earth's third-smartest man. He follows in the footsteps and tenets of fair play established by Terry Sloane as the second Mr. Terrific. Holt has an eidetic memory and a passion for learning which allows him to pick up new skills quickly.
Major Strengths:
- Michael Holt's mental strength saw him attend college at 14.
- He has a highly developed musculature that experiences less fatigue.
- Mr. Terrific is also a polymath with specialties in different fields.
Michael Holt is also an Olympic-level athlete. He won the gold medal in the decathlon and has trained his body to its limits over the years. He also has a black belt in six different martial arts that he uses along with his brilliantly-designed T-Spheres. He fights crime alongside teams like the JSA and the Terrifics.
16 Karate Kid
First Appearance: Adventure Comics (Vol. 1) #346, by writer/penciler Jim Shooter, inker Sheldon Moldoff and letterer Milt Snapinn
Val Armorr is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st century who has mastered every known fighting style in the future. He has further perfected his expertise by teaching others around the galaxy when he isn't fighting to protect it.
Major Strengths:
- Karate Kid is one of DC's greatest fighters due to his mastery of fighting styles.
- He has also mastered various melee weapons, though he chooses not to use them.
- Karate Kid's favorite martial art is karate, which he uses to entertain as well.
As Karate Kid, Val has spent some time in the modern DC universe and gone up against other powerful characters like Batman and Superman. He surprised both with the skills that allowed him to defeat even those much stronger than him.
15 Batman
First Appearance: Detective Comics (Vol. 1) #27, by writer Bill Finger and penciler/inker/letterer Bob Kane
Bruce Wayne dedicated his life to becoming a crime fighter after the brutal murder of his parents when he was just a boy. This sent him on a path to perfect his body and his skills to become Batman. In addition to his physical prowess, Batman is a genius at forensics and deduction.
Major Strengths:
- Batman once fought for 28 hours straight to showcase his enhanced stamina.
- His peak human strength is enhanced by his mastery of various fighting techniques.
- He mastered Dim Mak, Ninjitsu, Karate, Krav Maga, Tae Kwon Do, and his own called Bam Pow.
Batman is one of the strongest non-powered heroes even without his powerful gadgets. He's even worn strength-enhancing armor over the years when he needs to take on threats like Darkseid and his old friend Superman.
14 Hawkman
First Appearance: "The Origin of Hawkman" in Flash Comics (Vol. 1) #1, by writer Gardener Fox and penciler/inker Dennis Neville
When most people think of Hawkman, they think of a guy with wings and a cool mace, but he's more than that. The Nth metal that lets him defy gravity also grants him other skills, including giving him super strength. This enhanced strength makes those shots with the mace even harder.
Major Strengths:
- He can also manipulate his powerful Nth-metal mace telekinetically.
- Hawkman is skilled in almost every weapon invented since Ancient Egypt.
- His strength reached new levels as the giant defender of the Forge of Worlds.
While he isn't Superman strong, Hawkman is plenty strong enough to take on all kinds of foes. Add his strength to his speed and maneuverability, and Hawkman's attacks are extremely potent. This is something that's allowed him to beat all kinds of foes from beyond Earth.
13 Atom Smasher
First Appearance: All-Star Squadron (Vol. 1) #25, by writer Roy Thomas, penciler Jerry Ordway, inker Mike Machlan, colorist Gene D'Angelo, and letterer David Cody Weiss
Atom Smasher is one of the physically strongest members of the Justice Society. Raised by the Golden Age version of the Atom, he gained super strength and size-changing powers because of his grandfather, the villain Cyclotron.
Major Strengths:
- Atom Smasher began his costumed career as the super-strong Nuklon
- His unstable body can shift due to the atomic dispersal of his mass
- Atom Smasher's increasing strength also allows him to grow taller
Atom Smasher would eventually join up with his foster father's old team and prove his place as a hero. His time with the team had its ups and downs, but he was always one of the strongest heroes on the field. Using his physical powers to fight for his teammates, Atom Smasher was able to save the day on many occasions.
12 Steel
First Appearance: Adventures of Superman (Vol. 1) #500, by writer Louise Simonson, penciler Jon Bogdanove, inker Dennis Janke, colorist Glenn Whitmore, and letterer Bill Oakley
When John Henry Irons was a steelworker, he was inspired by Superman after he was saved from a fatal fall. This led him to create a powerful suit of armor after Doomsday killed Superman. As Steel, he tried to fill the void left by Superman in his own way.
Major Strengths:
- Steel's armor enhances his strength with motorized servos
- He previously wore a suit of liquid metal that further increased his strength
- Steel's body was further enhanced with infused alien nanoorganics
John Henry Irons went toe-to-toe with Kryptonian beings like the Eradicator and Cyborg Superman, though his earliest armor didn't fare as well in those battles. Steel's armor has become incredibly advanced over the years, which has only further increased his strength levels and made him one of Superman's most valuable allies.
11 Blue Beetle
First Appearance: Infinite Crisis (Vol. 1) #3, by writer Geoff Johns, pencilers Phil Jimenez & George Pérez, inkers Andy Lanning, Norm Rapmund & Wayne Faucher, colorists Jeromy Cox & Guy Major, and letterer Nick J. Napolitano
There have been a few human characters who have used the name Blue Beetle over the years. However, Jaime Reyes was the only one who was able to unlock the secrets of the ancient scarab that connected the heroes.
Major Strengths:
- The Scarab is capable of taking control of its host body
- The original Blue Beetle gained some strength from the scarab
- Blue Beetle can increase his strength by absorbing energy
While Reyes is only a teenager with limited strength, the scarab that is bonded to his spine can form a powerful alien exosuit around him that greatly enhances his strength. The suit is also able to form deadly alien weapons that make Jaime a force to be reckoned with, even though he's fairly inexperienced.
10 Cyborg
First Appearance: DC Comics Presents (Vol. 1) #26, by writer Marv Wolfman, penciler George Pérez, inker Dick Giordano, colorist Adrienne Roy, and letterer Ben Oda
Before Cyborg was a member of teams like the Teen Titans and the Justice League, Victor Stone was a star athlete. When he was involved in a terrible accident, he was rebuilt using advanced technology. His new body gave him a number of powerful weapons while also increasing his natural strengths.
Major Strengths:
- His body can augment his strength as an adaptive countermeasure
- One of Cyborg's most powerful weapons is his White Noise Cannon
- Cyborg also has a genius-level intellect and can interface with computers
As Cyborg continued to upgrade his body over the years, his strength continued to increase as well. Cyborg can lift around 20 tons before his cybernetic parts begin to struggle. His incredible strength has allowed Cyborg to take on some powerful threats like other cyborgs and even digital ghosts.
9 Cassie Sandsmark/Wonder Girl
First Appearance: Wonder Woman (Vol. 2) #105, by writer/penciler/inker John Byrne and colorist Patricia Mulvihill
There have been several Wonder Girls over the years, but one of the toughest was Cassie Sandsmark. Cassie Sandsmark's powers came from being the daughter of Ares and a human woman, making her massively strong and durable. She was a founding member of Young Justice and a Teen Titan, using her demi-god strength to hold her own against some tough foes.
Major Strengths:
- Wonder Girl is an Olympian demi-goddess
- She's beaten powerful alien threats like Despero
- Wonder Girl wields a rage-fueled Lasso of Lightning
Cassie redefined the Wonder Girl mantle for a new generation and was able to make a significant difference during battle. What makes all that even more impressive is the fact she was on teams with heroes who are no slouches in the strength department like Starfire, Cyborg, and Superboy.
8 Donna Troy
First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold (Vol. 1) #60, by writer Bob Haney and penciler/inker Bruno Premiani
Donna Troy was the first bearer of the Wonder Girl mantle and her origin is one of the most retconned and confusing in comics. However, one thing that has never changed is that she's one of the strongest heroes around. Donna is Amazonian and gifted with all of the advantages of that group of warrior women, able to hold her own against even the strongest foes.
Major Strengths:
- Her magical creation gave her the enhanced abilities of an Amazon
- Her strength increased as The Batman Who Laughs' Deathbringer
- Donna Troy has gone toe-to-toe with Wonder Woman and Superman
Donna made a name for herself as Wonder Girl but would grow and change from there, even becoming Wonder Woman for a time. It doesn't matter what mantle she wore, Donna Troy was always one of the strongest heroes and could even punch it out with a Superman robot.
7 Aquaman
First Appearance: More Fun Comics (Vol. 1) #73, by writer Mort Weisinger and penciler/inker Paul Norris
Aquaman may be the king of Atlantis, but he's also half-human. His unique heritage has made him one of the strongest heroes around, something people often forget. For example, Aquaman once held up a continental plate and he is strong enough to tow and lift massive ocean liners.
Major Strengths:
- Aquaman's incredible strength allows him to survive underwater
- He matched the legendary Hercules blow-for-blow in battle
- Aquaman is also one of the most experienced Justice League leaders
Aquaman is vastly underrated, and his massive strength is just one of the reasons for this. While he's often overshadowed by the strength of some of his Justice League compatriots, Aquaman is someone few would want to get punched by.
6 Conner Kent/Superboy
First Appearance: Adventures of Superman (Vol. 1) #500, by writer Karl Kesel, penciler Tom Grummett, inker Doug Hazlewood, colorist Glenn Whitmore, and letterer Albert DeGuzman
Conner Kent/Superboy has a unique heritage as a clone created to take Superman's place after his death. He was made with Kryptonian DNA spliced with Lex Luthor's, making him half-human. Conner faced his complicated parentage and went on to become one of the best versions of Superboy. While his half-human heritage meant he would always be weaker than Superman, he always displayed impressive might.
Major Strengths:
- Superboy's strength is enhanced by his tactile telekinesis
- His Kryptonian aura helps stabilize his feats of strength
- He eventually developed other Kryptonian abilities like heat-vision
Conner was even able to hold his own against Superboy-Prime for a time, which is doubly impressive when one considers the fact that Superboy-Prime could throw around planets with ease. Conner's strength and unbridled sense of heroism have made him invaluable in many conflicts.
5 Jon Kent/Superman
First Appearance: Convergence: Superman (Vol. 1) #2, by writer/penciler Dan Jurgens, inker Norm Rapmund, colorist Brad Anderson, and letterer Tom Napolitano
The son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, the half-human Jon Kent has begun stepping out of his father's shadow as Superman. As Superboy, he ended up traveling the multiverse and coming back older than when he left. He wound up in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes for a time before returning to the present to help out his father.
Major Strengths:
- Jon can use the abilities he shares with his father in powerful new ways
- He's held his own against powerful threats like General Zod and Rogol Zaar
- Jon proved his strength when he knocked out Orion with a single punch
Jon's still growing, but even so, he's proving to be one of the strongest heroes on Earth. His half-human heritage barely holds him back and there's no doubt that one day he'll be as strong if not stronger than his illustrious father.
4 Green Lantern
First Appearance: Showcase (Vol. 1) #22, by writer John Broome, penciler Gil Kane, inker Joe Giella, and letterer Gaspar Saladino
It's not always physical strength that makes DC's human heroes stand out amongst their more powerful peers, as proven by Hal Jordan and the strength of his will. He was chosen to become one of the first human ring-bearers in the Green Lantern Corps. His incredible willpower and ability to overcome fear earned him one of the most powerful weapons in the universe.
Major Strengths:
- He's used his strength of will to master more than one ring on the emotional spectrum
- Green Lantern has been able to move planets with the strength of his ring
- He's held his won against powerful beings like Mongul and Cyborg Superman
Hal Jordan was the first Green Lantern from Earth to be chosen, but he wasn't the last. Others like John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, and Jessica Cruz all followed in Hal's footsteps and showed their own strength of will.
3 Wonder Woman
First Appearance: All-Star Comics (Vol. 1) #8, by writer William Moulton Marston, and penciler/inker Harry G. Peter
The Amazons are known for their supreme physical prowess and they don't get any stronger than Wonder Woman. Part of this is because of her half-Amazonian, half-god heritage as the daughter of Zeus. This combination makes her the strongest Amazon and one of the best warriors in the comics.
Major Strengths:
- Wonder Woman is a demi-god who can lift over 100+ tons
- She also has enhanced mystical talents and abilities
- Wonder Woman has taken on powerful heroes like Superman
Wonder Woman has quite a few skills and abilities, but all of them piggyback off her titanic strength. Wonder Woman can punch it out with the strongest beings around, taking on the likes of gods, monsters, and aliens alike.
2 Black Adam
First Appearance: Marvel Family (Vol. 1) #1, by writer Otto Binder, penciler C.C. Beck, and inker Pete Costanza
Black Adam gained the power of the Wizard Shazam millennia ago, protecting Kahndaq and Egypt from all kinds of threats. He would reawaken in the present and battle Shazam for a time before embracing the path of the anti-hero, going back and forth on the hero-villain spectrum. After recently joining the Justice League, Adam is trying to prove his place with the greatest heroes of them all.
Major Strengths:
- He gets his mystical strength from the Egyptian god Amun
- Black Adam can take on other powerful heroes like Superman
- He was empowered by the Power of Aten after he was reborn
Black Adam is often the strongest person on any given battlefield. The Wizard's power grants him amazing strength on par with people like Superman and Wonder Woman. It'll be interesting to see how long this current stint as a hero lasts and just how much his power will make a difference.
1 Shazam
First Appearance: Whiz Comics (Vol. 1) #2, by writer/colorist Bill Parker and penciler/inker C.C. Beck
Some fans might wonder if Black Adam is stronger than Shazam since they basically have the exact same powers. However, Shazam has always been stronger than Adam. Part of that is because he's the Wizard's current champion. Shazam receives a greater share of the Wizard's power, and he has proven himself to be easily one of the strongest heroes in all of DC comics.
Major Strengths:
- He gets his mystical strength from the Olympian God Hercules
- Shazam is more commonly known as the "World's Mightiest Mortal"
- He can share his strength with the other members of the Shazam Family
Only Superman matches Shazam on a consistent basis and even then, the magical nature of Shazam's powers gives him an advantage over the Kryptonian. He's beaten down a who's who of the DCU to become the strongest human on Earth. None of Shazam's greatest villains have been able to stand up to the full strength of the former Captain Marvel.